Have you read this take on themes in the opener (http://coffeeandink.livejournal.com/636582.html)? It's strange, the domesticity-as-torture worked for me far better than if Leoben had Kara strung up somewhere and was torturing her physically (i.e. either doing to her what she did to him or treating her like Gina was on Pegasus); this is more subtle, and far more terrible.

Re: Kitty, no matter whether Emma is secretely working for the greater good or not, the hell scenario was inflicted by Cassandra Nova via Perfection, so Kitty has someone squarely to blame/wreak vengeance on. (I think Cassandra's fate, again independent from Emma's motivations, really rests on whether or not Joss has permission by Marvel to kill her off, but do not doubt it's going to be nasty.)